Zardari distances himself from ‘Cunning’ Nawaz ahead of upcoming elections

Asif Ali Zardari, the Former President has revealed his bitter experience of working with Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, before his close confidantes, calling the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leader, cunning and opportunistic.

In a party meeting, the Pakistan Peoples Party co-Chairman blew the lid off Nawaz Sharif’s duality by stating that he was the man who advised him (Zardari) to fight against the state institutions.

Zardari, who led the coalition government with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz as an ally after General Elections 2008, also claimed that Nawaz Sharif backed off on his promises regarding former President Pervez Musharraf.

The former Prime Minister might have the support of Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami and Hasil Bizenjo, however, the mainstream political parties have parted ways with Nawaz Sharif ahead of the electoral tussle.

The PPP leader declared that Nawaz Sharif sold them out although they considered him innocent, adding that he will not join hands with him now. On the issue of Musharraf, Zardari expressed that Pakistan Peoples Party supported Nawaz Sharif, however, same was not reciprocated by the elder Sharif.

The 62-year-old politician alleged that Nawaz Sharif had struck a deal with Musharraf, though on the public front, he kept decrying the role played by the former President. Asif Zardari also mentioned that Nawaz Sharif was behind his outburst against the Army

In a speech, Asif Zardari had warned the establishment not to overstep its mandate. “Don’t disturb us or we will also respond to a brick with a brick,” Asif Ali Zardari had said in the speech. The politician explained that Nawaz Sharif used his statement to his advantage.

The ‘outlandish’ speech of Asif Ali Zardari had set the tongues wagging in the country, regarding the motives intended through the commentary.

Though Asif Ali Zardari opened up about the background of his speech after almost three years, that Nawaz Sharif was behind it, he had left the country after ten days of speech, primarily due to the fact that the remarks were not digested by the public, who were hailing the armed forces for weeding out terrorism from the country as well as successfully carrying out the Karachi operation.

Zardari, who led the coalition government with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz as an ally after General Elections 2008, also claimed that Nawaz Sharif backed off on his promises regarding former President Pervez Musharraf.

Asif Zardari made his way back to the country in December 2016, after ending the self-imposed exile. The PPP leader was also riled owing to the functioning of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as his aides, including Dr. Asim were arrested owing to massive corruption charges.

During his in-camera interaction with party leaders, Zardari claimed that Nawaz Sharif had ordered NAB to speed up its work in Sindh province. Though Asif Ali Zardari has been constantly negating the perception that he would provide embattled Nawaz Sharif, succor, especially after the Panama Papers Case judgment, his strong-worded remarks just weeks before the formation of interim set up might upset the Sharif family.

Reportedly, Khawaja Asif, the former Foreign Minister, had tried, multiple times, to enlist the support of Asif Ali Zardari in the Senate elections and other affairs, however, Zardari seems to have made up his mind, not to stand by Nawaz Sharif.

With the accountability court proceedings nearing an end, the Sharif family seems to be entangled in serious troubles and Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz ‘Quaid for life’, is also hinting at his bleak future. In a recent interaction with party leaders, Nawaz Sharif categorically expressed that he was unaware of his future.

Nawaz Sharif’s nervousness is imminent and justified as the deadline set for the completion of graft cases is ending on May 13th and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also stated that winding up Avenfield Reference would be its first priority.

The PPP leader was also riled owing to the functioning of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as his aides, including Dr. Asim were arrested owing to massive corruption charges.

The last witness against the Sharif family has also recorded his statement before the accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir and with Zardari’s remarks in mind, it seems that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz would be hitting the streets alone.

Nawaz Sharif also termed the cases against him ‘artificial’ and vowed not to accept the verdicts in the references filed by the anti-corruption body, however, Zardari’s outburst confirms tough days for the former ruling family. Meanwhile, Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman, has also been firing a broadside at the Sharif duo, echoing the same comments as shared by Asif Zardari.

The former Prime Minister might have the support of Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami and Hasil Bizenjo, however, the mainstream political parties have parted ways with Nawaz Sharif ahead of the electoral tussle.

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